The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-11-17
A Few SOLEMN THOUGHTS |
Does It Pay To Drag The Church
Into The Political Field!

Does It Pay To Drag The Churcl
Into The Political Field!
There is one universally accepted
and popular feature about the politi
cal field, and that is that every mar
contends, even if he does not really
believe, that he is right. In the poll
tics of a great Nation like this, there
must necessarily be great diversity
Of opinion. All men cannot see the
world through the same glasses. Yet
there differences of opinion in the
political field have heretofore beer
treated as other political matters, anc
the conflicts of opinion have resulted
in conflicts of political forces, ano
Men settled down to a good natured
acceptance Of the fact that the only
hope was in recruiting their respect
i've forces for the next contest.
\ Political matters have been met and
dealt with in the political field, and
the social and religious relations OF
mankind have not been affected there
by. Recently, however, a new fea-
ture has been added to the political
forces and factors. A party has
sprung into existence claiming as a
foundation the Holy Bible. Now,
ordinarily, such a political organiza-
tion would be considered grand po-
litical engine, and party around
which should cluster the nobler i'm
pulses and aspirations Of mankind.
But the American people are inquisi-
tive. There is about them that Yam
kee trait which, while it may get
them into trouble, sometimes, also
frequently keeps them out Of trouble.
Hence they have shown a disposition
to investigate the claims of religious
life.
A politician asks rs the Bible
right" and we answer yes" He
asks. rs the hquor traffic wrong?"
and we answer Most certainly so.'
He asks rs it then right to kill it?"
and we answer "Of course" "Then
| represent these ideas, and unless
you adopt my position, as well as my
views, you are wrong" At this point
the people become inquisitive. They
begin to inquire as to the manner of
life Of this perfect man, who repre-
sents as politician, greater perfec-
tion than most men acquire upon the
face Of the earth. And, sad as it may
seem, the result of that investigation
is a grievous disappointment in al
most every case. Where they expect
to find a perfect life, they find the
same human frailties and failures as
in other men; where they expect to
find superior wisdom, and the more
ennobllng traits Of Christian charac-
ter, they find just such lives as are
found anywhere in everyday life;
where they expect to find angelic
purity, they find those ordinary traits
of character that strive, and fail, and
become tainted with the crookedness
of the political field, just like other
men; where they expected to find per-
feet Christianity, souls lifted up to-
ward God and Heaven, and fixed
purpose to work for the advancement
Of the Kingdom of Heaven among
men, they find stubborn will, an in
tolerant, domineering spirit, and an
attempt to destroy and divide the
Church Of God.
Then comes the startling realiza-
ton of the enormity Of the offense of
attempting to drag sacred things in
to the political field, and placing up
Oh the lips Of the vilest transgressor
the arguments of the Holy Book.
During the excitement attending the
election, was heard a young man en-
gagged in the widest, most disgusting
abuse of the Ministry. Imprecations,
curses, the vilest oaths, were hurled at
the Ministry. and pulpit. Who, think
you, was this young manG Was he a
Democrat, or Republican, or Union
Labor man? No He howled his rage
at the Ministry, because 1.-The damned
preachers won't vote as they pray!'
that is, vote the Third Party "Prohi-
bition' ticket. Think Of such achar-
acter as that debating morals to a
Minister of God!
No, no, friends. The Christian re-
ligion is too sacred thing to be
dragged into the conflict and bitter
ness Of the political field A praying
man will not vote the less intelligent
ly because of his praying, but scoun-
drel, william, an awful sinner, will
never purify politics by cursing Chris
tian people because they are not as
good as he is. Neither will the con-
scientious man who may differ with
his brethren advance the cause Of
Christ, or improve the moral condi-
ton Of mankind, by attempting to
SOW dissension and hatred in the
Church.
Foraker should put an extra guard
II - Gl;ll,ootlo A II